Reindeer husbandry challenges in winter in a wind power plant area - a study from an island in Troms county

Abstract

The establishment of the Kvitfjell/Raudfjell Wind power plant (WPP) in a reindeer herding district has raised concerns about potential impacts on herded reindeer habitat use and herding practices. The wind power plant was constructed between October 2017 and December 2020. Two years prior to construction, a herding family moved to the area with a new reindeer herd and engaged in intensive herding activities to train the reindeer to navigate and utilize the best grazing sites. The herders provide supplementary feeding during winter feed shortages. The herders report that the WPP development has complicated winter herd management and intensified feeding crises.

To assess WPP effects on reindeer habitat use and herding practices, reindeer GPS (Global Positioning System) data from 2015 to 2024, alongside the herders experienced-based knowledge, was analysed. The data covers the period prior to construction (~2 years), the construction phase (~3 years), and the operational phase (4 years) of the WPP. The study covers 4 seasons based on herders’ information (early winter, late winter, spring and summer). To identify reindeer habitat selection within year and season, a simple use vs. availability design was applied. Comparing locations used by reindeer to available locations in the study area, following the approach of Manly et al. (2002), before, during and after the WPP construction. Brownian bridge movement model (BBMM) was applied to estimate yearly seasonal home ranges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, collecting data on the herders’ observations and experience-based knowledge.

The GPS analyses revealed variable results, indicating possible aversion for habitats closer the WPP in late winter and spring some years and preference towards habitats closer to the WPP in early winter during and after the construction. Findings in spring potentially revealed a shift in calving grounds, affected by the construction and operational phase of the WPP. Documentation of the herders’ experience indicates a significant increase in herding activities and supplementary feeding, influenced by the construction and operation of the WPP. The herders emphasized that the extra challenges imposed by the ice throw hazard from wind turbines have severely restricted their access to suitable winter pastures. The intense herding practices introduced by the herders to mitigate the effect of the WPP complicate our ability to isolate the WPP impact. Herding interventions may have obscured clear behavioral responses. However, the herders’ traditional and experience-based knowledge provided crucial information needed to understand the underlying influences of our findings and contextualize the collected GPS data and gain clearer results of reindeer responses.

This study aims to enhance our understanding of renewable energy development in sensitive ecological regions and emphasize the importance of collaboration with local reindeer herders. By working with the herders, we can develop better strategies that effectively balance renewable energy constructions with the ecological and cultural values of reindeer husbandry. Future research must include herders and incorporate long-term, high-resolution GPS tracking, environmental variables, and behavioral monitoring, using accelerometers and video recordings to accurately assess the impacts of infrastructure development on reindeer habitat use and reindeer husbandry.